1st Advantage MortgageThe median Le Sueur County household earns $94,968, and 6% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Minnesota before sharing details.
On this page
- Le Sueur County, MN: the basics
- Household income in Le Sueur County
- What it costs to live in Le Sueur County
- How Le Sueur County residents earn a living
- How Le Sueur County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Le Sueur County
- Room for a loan payment in Le Sueur County
- People and households in Le Sueur County
- Reading the Le Sueur County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Le Sueur County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
- More guides for Le Sueur County
- Frequently asked questions
Le Sueur County, MN: the basics
With an estimated 29,113 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Le Sueur County ranks 38th of 87 in Minnesota for population. Packed into 449 square miles, that is close to 65 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Le Sueur, with about 4,215 residents, or 14% of the county.
Household income in Le Sueur County
At $94,968, the typical Le Sueur County household income is 45% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 12th of 87.
| Household income | Le Sueur County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.1% | -2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 35.2% | +4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.8% | -3.0 pts |
Some 15% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 46% have six-figure incomes. 6.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Le Sueur County
A typical Le Sueur County rental runs $942 a month including utilities, which is 26% below Minnesota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $316,500, a typical Le Sueur County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. Median construction year: 1974.
| Home costs | Le Sueur County | Minnesota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $942/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $316,500 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
Because most Le Sueur County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How Le Sueur County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 20%. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Le Sueur County averages 4.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 80% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Le Sueur County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.4% | +7.1 pts |
| Construction | 10.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.0% | -1.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Le Sueur County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 29 miles). Scott County leads the group on income ($119,314), Blue Earth County trails ($74,477), and Le Sueur County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Sueur County | - | $94,968 | $942/mo | 81% |
| Rice County, MN | 21 mi | $83,181 | $1,083/mo | 76% |
| Scott County, MN | 22 mi | $119,314 | $1,568/mo | 84% |
| Nicollet County, MN | 25 mi | $79,756 | $970/mo | 72% |
| Waseca County, MN | 25 mi | $76,261 | $883/mo | 81% |
| Sibley County, MN | 28 mi | $77,634 | $855/mo | 81% |
| Blue Earth County, MN | 29 mi | $74,477 | $1,123/mo | 61% |
Towns and communities in Le Sueur County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of Le Sueur County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $89,632 at the median in Elysian, $66,625 in Kasota. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Sueur | city | 4,215 | $78,711 | $880 | 11 mi |
| Montgomery | city | 3,434 | $79,432 | $974 | 9 mi |
| Le Center | city | 2,513 | $80,673 | $889 | 1 mi |
| Waterville | city | 1,947 | $76,406 | $884 | 13 mi |
| Elysian | city | 676 | $89,632 | $1,088 | 12 mi |
| Cleveland | city | 563 | $85,750 | $817 | 6 mi |
| Kasota | city | 554 | $66,625 | $692 | 13 mi |
| Heidelberg | city | 235 | $115,417 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Kilkenny | city | 125 | $48,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Le Sueur County
Here is the Le Sueur County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,914 before taxes
- Less median rent of $942, which is 12% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,907 a month
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,461 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Le Sueur County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Le Sueur County
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Le Sueur County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.3% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.4% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.4% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Le Sueur County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Reading the Le Sueur County data as a borrower
Based on the Le Sueur County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Higher earners. 46% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Four steps for Le Sueur County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Minnesota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Le Sueur County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is the place to verify any lender's Minnesota license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
More guides for Le Sueur County
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Le Sueur County earn?
The median is $94,968; 46% earn $100,000 or more and 15% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Le Sueur County?
$942 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Should Le Sueur County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Le Sueur County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Le Sueur County?
By population: Le Sueur, Montgomery, Le Center, Waterville, Elysian. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Le Sueur County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.